ECHOES OF THE PAST (Column 264): NASCAR comes to Road America

Elkhart Lake is today what it has always been for over 155 years, one of the most delightful places in Wisconsin to escape the clamor and heat of big-city life. As far back as the 1840s, hearty campers traveling by horseback camped along its shores to enjoy the unusual scenic beauty of the area and to boat, swim and fish in the lake’s clear cool waters.

The lake itself lies in the heart of an area known as the Kettle Moraine and is of glacial origin. Scooped out millions of years ago to a depth of over 100 feet, by glacial action, Elkhart Lake is the deepest small lake in Sheboygan County or Wisconsin for that matter. The beauty of the lake nestled in the rolling countryside is further enhanced by craggy forested rock outcroppings that surround the lake, adding to its splendor.

Roads were built into the area, and in 1872 the railroad was extended to Elkhart Lake. In 1867 Sharp’s Resort became the first resort constructed on the lake. Others soon followed and in 1885 Otto Osthoff built a resort on the lake that has an heir by that name today.

Eons before the first white man laid eyes on the lake, only the soft tread of the Indian moccasin could be heard in the deep lush forests. According to Indian lore, the name of the lake in their native tongue was Meshay wa-o-dey-ni-bis. The legend as to how the lake was named was told around campfires by storytellers for hundreds of years.

The legend tells of a beautiful Indian maiden who lived on the shores of the lake and had fallen in love with a handsome brave named Wapita, who many times had told the young maiden of his great love for her. But Wapita was of a fickle heart and one day he told the maiden that he had fallen in love with the daughter of an Indian chief of a nearby tribe who was more beautiful than she, and that he no longer cared for her.

In deep despair the maiden sought the council of an old squaw who was said to possess spiritual powers. The old lady told the young girl if she would slay an Elk and drink the blood of his heart, she would then become the most beautiful maiden in all the land. But the old squaw cautioned the girl that once she did this, her heart would grow cold to Wapita and she would never accept his love again.

After following the advice of the old squaw, the young girl slew the Elk and upon drinking the blood of its heart, she became the most beautiful girl in all the land. Seeing how beautiful his old love had become, Wapita tried to rekindle the love they once knew. As prophesied, the maiden rejected his love as her heart had grown cold toward him.

Unable to accept the rejection, the crestfallen Wapita, in deep despair, threw himself into the deepest part of the lake and sank from sight. It is said that in the deep of the night Wapita can still be seen in his birch-bark canoe gliding across the still waters in search of his lost love.

Ever since, the lake had been known as the Heart of the Elk Lake, and in later years shortened to Elkhart Lake.

In the year 1950, the Sports Car Club of America and the Elkhart Lake Businessmen’s Association came together and planned a road race in the Elkhart Lake area. No such race had been held in the Midwest since the Elgin National Race was held in Illinois, in 1933.

And so it was that in July of 1950 the first race, which consisted of six events, was held on twisting, winding roads along the northwest side of the lake. The 3.35-mile course included hills, curves, a 3,000-foot “straight” and five full turns. The main event of 20 laps was won by Jim Kimberly of Neenah (and Chicago) driving his big red 12-cylinder Ferrari. His time for the 20-lap “expert” race was 56 minutes, 13.2 seconds with his best lap at 2:45.9 for an average speed of approximately 73 miles per hour.

Even with little or no publicity, it was estimated that over 5,000 people lined the roadways and watched from hillsides as the racers roared around the course. Hay-bale barriers had been set up on the curves for the protection of both drivers and spectators.

The races were held again in 1951 and 1952, but by this time the course had been lengthened to 6.5 miles, encircled the lake and cut through the village. The new course eliminated a difficult and tight reversecamber corner and had two “straights” of almost one mile each making the course considerably faster.

By 1951 and 1952 the races had attracted national attention, with the 1952 attendance estimated at 150,000 people! Speeds now increased to over 90 miles per hour. After the third race, the organizers were informed by the state that they were in violation of the state statute that states as follows: “There will be no racing or speed contests on the state public roads.” Racing at Elkhart Lake came to a temporary halt. In order for the races to continue, a new course was needed, dedicated solely to road racing; Road America was about to be born.

Cliff Tufte, later known as “Mister Road America,” stepped forward and applied his considerable engineering knowledge to locating a new site. In 1952 Tufte tramped through the area now occupied by the track and picked out what he thought was the best location. Other areas were considered and then discarded. In 1954 the four-mile “road to nowhere,” as some people called it, was accepted and is today considered a top-notch classic. It’s been said by some that Road America is one of the finest racetracks in the world.

In the winter of 1954, the Businessmen’s Association from Elkhart Lake met with the officials of the SCCA in Chicago and planned a race for late summer of 1955 even though they had not yet turned over the first shovel of dirt to construct the course. Construction on the four-mile course was begun in April of 1955, and by late summer the course was ready for its first race, as had been promised to the SCCA the previous winter. In fact, on that first race day carpenters were still pounding nails to the scoring pagoda.

Today the fame of Road America continues. The name Elkhart Lake, and Road America are synonymous with sports-car racing. Then came motorcycle races and now Road America is proud to add NASCAR to its roster; can Indy cars be far behind?

After the races, when you have time to relax, sit on the shore of Elkhart Lake and as darkness falls, you may just see the birch-bark canoe of Wapita gliding silently across the lake, eternally seeking his lost love.